DGE Diageo Plc

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Do you know what people between 21 and 35 can do? Create billion dollar companies, lead social change, spearhead medical research — oh right, and buy rum on National Rum Day. Do you know what they can't do? Be President of the United States, due to an outdated law written in 1787. Today, Captain Morgan announced the brand will donate $1 to HeadCount, up to $50,000, for every signature acquired on August 16 – National Rum Day – for its petition to amend the United States Constitution so that people under the age of 35 at least have the option to be President.

HeadCount is a non-partisan organization that uses popular music to promote voter registration and participation among young adults.

To join the movement, adults 21+ are encouraged to visit UNDER35POTUS.com to sign the online petition, which takes less than a minute to do. Once signed, participants will have the option to share the petition on social media using #UNDER35POTUS.

Article II, Section I of the United States Constitution states "neither shall any person be eligible to [the office of President] who shall not have attained to the age of thirty five years." So while 21-34 year olds – approximately 75 million of them in the US – make up the largest voting segment and are the leaders of positive change throughout our country, they're too young to be POTUS. Captain Morgan believes the latter is symbolic of the fact that the largest electorate is also the least engaged in politics.

"Presidents like Adams and Roosevelt loved rum and became president. Coincidence? We don't think so. We just want to give other qualified rum-loving candidates the opportunity to join their ranks," said Adrienne Cuschieri Grooms, 33 year-old Senior Brand Manager, Captain Morgan. "For this year's National Rum Day, we encourage all legal drinking age adults to celebrate responsibly with a Captain and cola and join our cause.  Whether Democrat or Republican, come together on National Rum Day over a cocktail and support our nonpartisan cause to ultimately get more people engaged in the political process."

In honor of National Rum Day, visit UNDER35POTUS.com to sign the petition and remember when raising a glass, or leading the country, please do so responsibly.

About Diageo

Diageo is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include CAPTAIN MORGAN™ and ZACAPA™ rums, JOHNNIE WALKER™, CROWN ROYAL™, JεB™, WINDSOR™ and BUCHANAN'S™ whiskies, SMIRNOFF™, CÎROC™ and KETEL ONE™ vodkas, BAILEYS™ Irish Cream Liqueur, TANQUERAY™ gin, and GUINNESS™ beer.

Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

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SOURCE Diageo